Sport S Lift Options - Leveling or 2.5”

[Jeepster2018]

With a 2dr Sport S, would doing a 2-2.5” lift with 33” wheels be about the right lift height?

Something like the Rough Country 2.5” Suspension Lift Kit w/shocks or Teraflec 2.5” Lift Kit Without Shocks?

Or something like the Teraflex Leveling Kit w/o shocks giving 1-2” more than sufficient?

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[Moe]

Some of the best looking JKs I've seen with 33s (285/70R17) use nothing more than the Teraflex Leveling Kit (a pair of 2" coil spacers up front with a pair of longer sway bar links, and a pair of 1" coil spacers in the rear)--average 1-1/2". All it does is raise where the vehicle rides within the stock suspension travel (meaning more compression travel and less rebound/extension travel).

 

[Moe]

I've always suspected all a JK with 33s needs are 1" spacers up front with the stock disconnects--nothing in the rear. But I don't know that for sure.

The height rating of lift kits with replacement springs assumes one is running heavy metal bumpers, a winch, and a load in the back. On a stock vehicle it often lifts much more than the rating.

 

[Jeepster2018]

Did he do like a 2” in the front and 1” in the rear?

My brother in law did a level on his 2013 jk unlimited and was able to put 33's all around with no problems, bet the JL will be the same.

 

[Jeepster2018]

Something like this?

Does it make for a stiffer ride then?

Some of the best looking JKs I've seen with 33s (285/70R17) use nothing more than the Teraflex Leveling Kit (a pair of 2" coil spacers up front with a pair of longer sway bar links, and a pair of 1" coil spacers in the rear)--average 1-1/2". All it does is raise where the vehicle rides within the stock suspension travel (meaning more compression travel and less rebound/extension travel).

 

[Jeepster2018]

So typically a 2.5” Lift would be a little too much then?

I've always suspected all a JK with 33s needs are 1" spacers up front with the stock disconnects--nothing in the rear. But I don't know that for sure.

The height rating of lift kits with replacement springs assumes one is running heavy metal bumpers, a winch, and a load in the back. On a stock vehicle it often lifts much more than the rating.

 

[Onlylive1]

So typically a 2.5” Lift would be a little too much then?

I have a 2015 JKU with a Teraflex leveling kit and 33s. I love the look and it doesn't impact the ride at all.

I also ran 33's with no leveling kit without a problem but I think the stance looks so much better with the leveling kit.

 

[Jeepster2018]

Definitely agree with the stance with the levelling kit compared to without.

Any chance you have any before and after pics?

So no real need to do more than a levelling kit? Like a 2.5" kit would be overkill?

I have a 2015 JKU with a Teraflex leveling kit and 33s. I love the look and it doesn't impact the ride at all.

I also ran 33's with no leveling kit without a problem but I think the stance looks so much better with the leveling kit.

 

[Onlylive1]

Definitely agree with the stance with the levelling kit compared to without.

Any chance you have any before and after pics?

So no real need to do more than a levelling kit? Like a 2.5" kit would be overkill?

I'll have to look and see if I have any before and after photos... I think the 2.5 might be overkill unless you plan to head towards 35s in the future.

 

[Jeepster2018]

Agree.

Any pics you have would be great.

I'll have to look and see if I have any before and after photos... I think the 2.5 might be overkill unless you plan to head towards 35s in the future.

 

[J.R. Quimby]

From what I've seen around, I feel like 2.5 would look off with only 33s

 

[Onlylive1]

I'll have to look and see if I have any before and after photos... I think the 2.5 might be overkill unless you plan to head towards 35s in the future.

Here's a before and after picture. I swapped rims/tire too but still 33s.

 

[Moe]

Most of the best forum pictures worldwide were lost to the PhotoBucket Blackmail Block. That includes the ones I went looking to show you.

The Teraflex kit is IMO at the upper limit of tasteful with 33s. Go higher and it looks like you could afford a lift but not the tires and wheels to go under it. You also start running into more complexity. A "2.5 inch" kit would likely lift a plastic or sheetmetal bumper Jeep 3.5" or more.

 

[Moe]

Search for pictures with these terms:

before and leveling site:jkforum.com

before and leveling site:wranglerforum.com

before and leveling site:jeepforun.com

 

[Jeepster2018]

Looks good. So it added about 2" in the front an 1" in the rear?

What is the longevity of the Tera levelling kit? Does it need to be replaced at some point?

Here's a before and after picture. I swapped rims/tire too but still 33s.

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